If you have low porosity hair, you probably have difficulty getting your hair damp and dry. Every hair care product you use likely stays on the surface of your hair and doesn’t provide effective results. This is because low porosity hair doesn’t quickly absorb water and hair treatments.
However, don’t worry because, in today’s article, I will teach you how to care for low porosity hair and review some of the best oils for low porosity hair.
What Is Low Porosity Hair?
Hair is a collection of dead cells arranged in a unique, three-layer pattern:
- The cuticle is the external layer made of separate cuticles overlapping.
- The middle part, the cortex, is the thickest layer of proteins and pigments that give your hair color.
- The third, final layer is the medulla. It’s the middle, innermost layer of the hair shaft.
Low porosity hair has tightly packed cuticles that overlap each other. There isn’t a lot of space between the cuticles, so they can’t absorb water, products, and oils. Hence they can’t provide moisture to the hair shaft.
Most people have low porosity hair because of their genetics. It’s believed that heat and chemicals cause low porosity hair, but that’s a lie.
When heat or styling hurts the cuticle layer, it’s more likely to result in high porosity hair (the cuticles have spaces in between and can’t retain moisture as a result).
Characteristics of Low Porosity Hair
Learning about the crucial traits of this condition can help determine if you have low porosity hair, so take a look.
Low Porosity Hair Doesn’t Accept Hair Care Products
If you have low porosity hair, you probably struggle using hair products, as they sit on your hair instead of being absorbed.
For example, you can apply a hair moisturizer or oil to the ends of your hair. And 30 minutes later, you can see that the product isn’t still absorbed. And if you touch it, it will probably come off on your fingers.
If this is the case with your hair, you have low porosity hair, which absorbs very little hair products.
Washing and Drying Low Porosity Hair Takes Longer
With low porosity hair, simple maintenance can be challenging and time-consuming. For instance, washing takes longer because water isn’t quickly absorbed.
Moreover, drying can be challenging, especially air-drying if you have thick and long hair. If you still can’t determine if you have low porosity hair, here’s how to test your hair quickly and know once and for all.
Low Porosity Hair: Quick Testing Method
You can quickly determine your type of hair porosity by following these steps:
- Wash your hair to remove any product built up because clean hair delivers the most accurate results.
- Dry your hair as usual.
- Pluck a strand of your hair and place it into a transparent glass of water.
- Observe the hair strand to determine where it floats.
If your hair strand remains to the top for some time before sinking at the bottom, you have low porosity hair.
You probably have medium porosity if your hair strand stays in the middle.
If your hair sinks at the bottom immediately, it’s probably more porous, which means you have high porosity hair.
Why Does Hair Porosity Matter?
Determining your hair porosity type can help you better care for your hair.
Your hair’s texture, density, and curl pattern also play a role in proper maintenance, but your porosity level matters the most.
Once you learn your hair porosity type, you can choose the right hair products, such as shampoo, conditioner, hair moisturizer, hair oils, hair masks, etc.
Best Oils for Low Porosity Hair: Comparison Chart
Most people with low porosity hair usually have difficulties finding the right hair care products, including hair oils.
There’s not much information about low porosity hair oils online. So, I decided to put together a comprehensive guide.
The following guide consists of a comparison chart and reviews for some of the best oils for low porosity hair, so let’s dive right in.
| Best Oils for Low Porosity Hair | Type | Derived From/Key Ingredient | Suitable for |
| NOW Solutions Organic Argan Oil | Argan oil | Argania Spinosa | All hair types |
| NOW Solutions Apricot Kernel Oil | Apricot kernel oil | Prunus Armeniaca | All hair types |
| PURA D’OR Organic Rosehip Seed Oil | Rosehip seed oil | Rosa Canina | All hair types |
| Cliganic USDA Organic Jojoba Oil | Jojoba oil | Extracted from jojoba seeds | All hair types |
| PURA D’OR Natural Moroccan Argan Oil | Moroccan argan oil | Argania Spinosa | All hair types |
| PURA D’OR Organic Sweet Almond Oil | Sweet almond oil | Sweet almond | All hair types |
| NOW Solutions Avocado Oil | Avocado oil | Persea Gratissima | All hair types |
| Renewal Certified Organic Baobab Oil | Baobab oil | Extracted from the seeds of the fruit of the baobab tree | All hair types |
8 Best Oils For Low Porosity Hair: 8 Tried & Tested Oils
The reviews below don’t include olive and coconut oil because they’re unsuitable for low porosity hair; these heavy oils can weigh your hair down and initiate issues with product build-up.
Remember that light oils work best when buying hair care products for low porosity, such as oils. Now, let’s understand the science behind low porosity hair and choose the right product for your needs.
1. NOW Solutions Organic Argan Oil
Organic argan oil isn’t excellent for skin only. It’s a multi-purpose oil, so you can use it to moisturize your skin, hair, scalp, and nails.
I recommend this light oil because it’s loaded with vitamins C, A, and E and will help soothe, nourish, and protect your skin and hair from the elements.
The best part? It’s quickly absorbed in the hair, as it’s lightweight. So, it’s perfect for low porosity hair. Moreover, thanks to the vitamins, your hair will grow faster.
Argan oil also prevents breakage and can decrease split ends. Look no further than argan oil if you’re looking for a natural oil that will boost your hair moisture levels.
It’s filled with oleic and linoleic acid, which have moisturizing properties.
Lastly, the NOW Solutions organic argan oil comes at a fair price, so you don’t have to break your bank account for good moisturizing oil.
2. NOW Solutions Apricot Kernel Oil
The 100% pure apricot kernel oil makes an excellent treatment for dry, aging skin or dry, brittle hair. It’s also suitable for low porosity hair, as it’s lightweight, light, and rich in essential fatty acids.
The oil has therapeutic properties that ensure soft, healthy hair and smooth skin. It’s derived from apricot kernels and will also help decrease the frizz. Moreover, regular use of this oil will get thicker and longer hair.
The NOW oil isn’t tested on animals and comes in a transparent bottle with UV light protectant, but here’s the real kicker. This oil will keep your hair moisturized without weighing your strands down or initiating a greasy look.
It’s also rich in vitamins A, B1, and B2, which help nourish the hair. Lastly, it’s easily absorbed by the hair shaft, so it’s both effective and time-saving.
3. PURA D’OR Organic Rosehip Seed Oil
The organic rosehip seed oil is extracted from the seeds of Rosa Canina in Chile. It’s one of the best oils for low porosity hair, as it contains vitamins and antioxidant minerals that will help boost the look and moisture of your hair.
You can also use this oil for your skin. It’s an excellent choice for dry, damaged skin that needs hydration and regeneration. Rosehip seed oil doesn’t have dangerous ingredients like sulfates and parabens. It’s 100% pure and natural.
It’s not one of those oils that people consider straight away, as it’s less talked about online, but it’s worth a try. Also, some people don’t like how this oil smells. It has a slightly nutty smell, which I don’t find off-putting.
This organic oil is also rich in vitamin A to nourish your scalp and follicles, improve blood flow, and promote hair growth. Lastly, it’s excellent for encouraging elasticity and decreasing breakage.
4. Cliganic USDA Organic Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil can also help low porosity hair, especially if it’s 100% pure cold pressed, natural, and unrefined.
The Cliganic USDA organic jojoba oil makes an excellent treatment for both dry hair and skin due to the vitamins and minerals, like vitamins E and B-complex, that will keep your hair and skin looking healthy.
The oil also contains linoleic acid and palmitic acids and medicinal properties that can help nourish your scalp and maintain the moisture levels in your hair.
Furthermore, the antioxidants in this lightweight oil will keep your hair well-protected from the sun while operating as a natural conditioner.
The best part? Your hair will feel hydrated without looking greasy. It’s also excellent at reducing frizz and adding shine.
5. PURA D’OR Natural Moroccan Argan Oil
Unfortunately, daily pollution and sun exposure can damage your hair and skin.
However, if you invest in good skin and hair care, like this oil from PURA D’OR, you will add a coat of protection against toxins and enjoy healthy skin and hair.
The antioxidants in this organic Moroccan argan oil will help keep your skin and hair safe like no other oil on the market.
Some people describe this oil as a “salon-like treatment” thanks to the vitamins that tame frizzy and brittle hair, balance the hair oil production, and much more.
It’s super effective, especially for low porosity hair, because it’s lightweight and rich in essential vitamins and minerals, like A and E, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
It also has linoleic acid for extra flexibility and shine. So, if you use this oil regularly, you will get long, healthy, and hydrated hair.
The natural oil penetrates deeply into the strands. Therefore, you can rest assured it will work for your low porosity hair.
The best part? Your hair will smell amazing, thanks to the lovely fragrance.
6. PURA D’OR Organic Sweet Almond Oil
If you’re searching for a natural moisturizer for low porosity hair, consider the PURA D’OR’s sweet almond oil abundant in vitamins like A, B, D, and E that will keep your hair and skin moisturized and healthy.
Sweet almond oil is derived from almonds, so you will get a moisturizer with a sweet and subtle pleasant scent that will quickly absorb and hydrate your hair strands with ease because it’s a lightweight natural oil.
Vitamin A, E, proteins, potassium, and zinc will make your hair look better and grow stronger, while linoleic acid will help seal moisture and protect against breakage.
Sweet almond oil has antibacterial properties so that you will have clean and fresh hair at all times.
Other essential ingredients this oil brings to the table include stearic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid. These chemical components will help hydrate low porosity hair without making it feel heavy or greasy.
You can use this natural moisturizer in the same way as other hydrating treatments.
7. NOW Solutions Avocado Oil
Although this 100% pure avocado oil is created for skin care, you can also use it for low porosity skin because it’s lightweight, natural, and nutrient-rich.
Most people use this oil for massage, as it’s soothing and leaves no greasy residue. However, it’s also highly beneficial for individuals with low porosity hair.
The oil comes in a transparent bottle with a UV light protectant.
You can add this natural oil to your deep conditioner and use it to hydrate your hair further. It’s very good at penetrating your hair shaft and strengthening weak strands of hair, thanks to vitamins E and B.
If you include this vegetable oil in your hair care routine, you will get smooth, shiny, and healthy hair. You can use it as a leave-in conditioner or pre-poo.
It’s made by cold pressing the flesh of avocados and does wonders for low porosity hair.
8. Renewalize Certified Organic Baobab Oil
The organic baobab oil is USDA certified organic by CCOF. It’s 100% pure cold pressed and unrefined to keep as much of the vital nutrients as possible. Moreover, it’s 100% hexane-free, GMO-free, and cruelty-free.
If you buy this natural oil, you will get a hair moisturizer rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K. It’s extracted from the seeds from the fruit of the baobab tree in Africa. The baobab tree is also known as the “Tree of Life.”
Moreover, baobab oil has different healing and therapeutic properties. It’s not only a great hair moisturizer but also hydrates the skin and promotes skin cell rejuvenation and wound healing.
This oil is excellent for normal, mature, and sensitive skin. It can hydrate and clean your skin like no other oil. Massage it into your skin and rinse afterward.
The baobab oil promotes collagen production and boosts skin elasticity. So, if you’re pregnant, this oil can help prevent stretch marks.
If you purchase this oil for hair care, it will do wonders for your hair, especially if it’s dry and dull. You can use this natural oil to create your hot oil treatment by following the instructions on their Amazon page.
It’s excellent for moisturizing the scalp, treating dandruff and itchy scalp, enhancing thin hair, preventing dryness, and helping psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema.
You will get this organic oil in a dark amber glass bottle which you should keep in a dark place. With refrigeration, your baobab oil can last for over two years.
How to Take Care of Low Porosity Hair?
As I stated, low porosity hair repels moisture like the devil, making care challenging. The following tips can help tame your low porosity hair while ensuring hydration and softness.
1. Clarify Your Hair at Home
You can clarify your hair with a deep cleaning shampoo that will strip the build-up of old hair care products from your hair and scalp.
Hair treatments and oils barely penetrate low porosity hair, so they’re more likely to stay on the hair and scalp. These build-ups clog your follicles and negatively affect your hair’s health.
2. Use Leave-in Conditioner and Light Oils
Low porosity hair requires extra moisture to stay safe and healthy. The water within your hair strands isn’t enough to keep it flexible.
You can hydrate your low porosity hair with a leave-in conditioner and light oils. The light oils work best for low porosity hair, as they’re more absorbent.
Moreover, they don’t make your hair feel heavy or greasy and can quickly penetrate the hair shaft.
3. Deep Condition With Heat
Apply a conditioner to your hair and use a thermal cap, steamer, or hooded dryer to heat your hair.
Heat opens the tightly woven cuticle and enables the moisture to penetrate your hair shaft. Tap the moisture by washing it off with cold water, which closes the cuticles.
4. Use Humectants
Humectants like pectin, glycerin, honey, and aloe vera love water, so they’re perfect for low porosity hair. These materials will draw moisture from their environment into the hair shaft, keeping low porosity hydrated.
Related Questions about Low Porosity Hair
1. Why Are Lighter Oils Better For Low Porosity Hair?
Lighter oils work better for low porosity hair than heavier oils, as they don’t clog the cuticles. Instead, they penetrate the hair and provide moisture.
Avoid heavy oils like coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil, petroleum jelly, or any butter if you have low porosity hair. They will only coat your hair without increasing the level of moisture in your hair.
Lighter oils like avocado, argan, baobab, sweet almond, jojoba, apricot kernel, and rosehip oil provide the best results for low porosity hair.
2. How Do You Apply Oil To Low Porosity Hair?
You can either do a hot oil treatment, pre-poo, apply the light oil to your conditioner, or use it daily as part of your normal hair routine.
If you include the oil in your usual hair routine, first spritz your hair with water, then use a leave-in conditioner or shea butter and follow up with your preferred oil.
3. Can I Use Olive Oil for Low Porosity Hair?
You can’t use olive oil for low porosity hair. Because it’s heavy oil that will sit on top of your hair instead of penetrating your cuticles and providing moisture.
4. Does Avocado Oil Penetrate Low Porosity Hair?
Avocado oil quickly penetrates low porosity hair. As a result, moisturizing properties and nutrients can get into your hair instead of staying on top, making your hair shiny and more flexible.
5. How Do You Keep Low Porosity Hair Moisturized?
You can keep your low porosity hair moisturized with pre-poo treatments, heat when deep conditioning, light oils that penetrate easily, water-based styling products, etc.
Final Tips
Handling low porosity hair can be tricky. However, if you choose the right hydrating products and properly care for your hair, you will see positive results.
Try deep conditioning with heat, clarifying shampoos, humectants for hair, leave-in conditioners, and other products to help your hair absorb moisture easier.
Once you do that, apply the light oil of your choice (I prefer avocado oil) and watch your hair transform. With proper care and maintenance, every hair can shine and look healthy, including low porosity care.
